Food Choices Add Up

Imagine yourself 4.., 8.., 12.., 16.., 20 years from now. Will you be heavier than you are now?

According to a study published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, your food choices will play a large part. Researchers tracked over 120,000 men and women in three large ongoing medical studies every four years, over two decades. All were healthy and none were obese at the start of the study.

On average, participants gained 3.35 pounds during each four-year period. That added up to a weight gain of almost 17 pounds over the 20-year period.

When lifestyle changes associated with weight gain were evaluated, the findings were similar in all three studies.

"People who regularly ate French fries, potato chips, mashed potatoes, processed meat, meat, sugary drinks, sweets and refined grains were more likely to gain weight."

On the other hand, "folks who increased their intake of vegetables, fruit, nuts, whole grains, and yogurt during the study were far less likely to gain weight. In fact, they were more likely to lose a little weight over time."

Therefore, one's weight hinges on many factors including, quite significantly, your food selections.

Via Globe and Mail, Leslie Beck, dietician whose website is here.